AZ Coues vs CO Muley vs MT Gen.

bpeay4

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Oct 17, 2022
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Moscow, Idaho
What would you do? An Arizona Coues deer hunt for 2 points, a Colorado Mule deer hunt for 2 points or a Montana General deer tag? Part of me thinks I need to wait a couple more years for a worth while tag in CO or AZ but I also have the schedule to make a trip work this year. Also considering a Montana General deer tag.
 

Article 4

WKR
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Mar 4, 2019
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The Great Northwest
Have done them all....you can shoot a muley in a lot of states, you can shoot an eastern or western whitetail in a lot of states. There are very few places to shoot a Coues and its a unique hunt that happens only in maybe 1 1/2 states and Mexico. Recommend Coues
 
OP
bpeay4

bpeay4

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Oct 17, 2022
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Location
Moscow, Idaho
Hunt would be with a rifle. No preference on season however with only two points I'm probably looking at Oct/Nov for coues and Oct. For Colorado.

Mostly just interested in hearing which of these options would the best quality hunt given my current point status.
 

Article 4

WKR
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Mar 4, 2019
Messages
443
Location
The Great Northwest
Hunt would be with a rifle. No preference on season however with only two points I'm probably looking at Oct/Nov for coues and Oct. For Colorado.

Mostly just interested in hearing which of these options would the best quality hunt given my current point status.
Nov Coues hunt is tough, if you are going to burn your points, Dec or Jan hunts give you the best opportunity
 

FYG

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Nov 29, 2023
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As a Montanan that can hunt the general tag, I will tell you that should be your last choice, as I personally prioritize low point AZ and CO tags over anything to do with Deer in Montana. Colorado can produce something special in just about any unit, and Coues hunts are a blast, especially since it's something to do later in the year.
 

mxgsfmdpx

WKR
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Oct 22, 2019
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Central Arizona
I have lived in Tucson for years. Hunted nearly every unit near there. Odds say if You want a 90 inch deer, hunt in Nov
Want a book buck save your pints for a good Dec Jan hunt
Odds also say most guys don’t kill at all. Dec Jan offers no better quality of bucks where I hunt versus November.
 

Article 4

WKR
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The Great Northwest
Odds also say most guys don’t kill at all. Dec Jan offers no better quality of bucks where I hunt versus November.
True. Coues hunting is tough if someone has never done it. They are like smoke sometimes.
Probably would not draw as a non resident with 2 point but there is an outside possibility in 1 or 2 of the S units.
For me, having hunted them for more than 20 years, wait for 4 or 5 points and do a late Dec hunt. Odds go way up and likely to see a 100 plus.
 
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bpeay4

bpeay4

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Joined
Oct 17, 2022
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Location
Moscow, Idaho
I would be happy with any decent buck which seems to be a realistic expectation for only 2 points.

Lots of different perspectives mentioned here which I appreciate
 

TrackerG

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Jan 2, 2024
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Arizona coues deer hunting is my favorite hunt in the west. I’ve lived in WA, MT, and AZ. I hunted every state in the west except Nevada.
 
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